Haymakers Fall Short To Bandits In First Home Game
March 30, 2013 - Champions Professional Indoor Football League (CPIFL)
Lincoln Haymakers News Release
Lincoln, NE - The Haymakers fell in their home opener 42 to 20 to the Sioux City Bandits. The atmosphere was exciting for the New Victorian Suites Kickoff Classic despite the loss. Turnovers plagued the Haymakers throughout the game. The Haymakers gave the ball away three times, and the Bandits capitalized on the mishaps.
Quarterback A.J. Toscano had a pass intercepted on the opening drive which lead to a touchdown for Sioux City on the ensuing drive. Following the Bandits touchdown Cortney Grixby returned the kickoff for a touchdown to tie the game. The Haymakers recovered a fumble on the Bandits following drive but failed to score off of the turnover.
Sioux City scored on a 12 yard touchdown run to go ahead 14 to 7 late in the first quarter. The Haymakers answered back with a 5 yard touchdown pass from quarterback A.J. Toscano to Rickie Simmons but failed on the PAT. The first quarter ended with the Haymakers trailing by one.
Sioux City opened the 2nd quarter with a touchdown pass and went ahead 21 to 13. Toscano had another pass intercepted but the Haymakers' defense held strong and prevented a score off of the touchdown. Sioux City scored again, but the Haymakers answered back with a 10 yard touchdown pass from Toscano to Rhodes to end the half with the Haymakers down 28 to 20.
Sioux City opened the second half with a touchdown run to go ahead 35 to 20. The Haymakers and Bandits went back and forth throughout the quarter. The Haymakers gained some momentum when DL Kevin Cyrille had a tackle for loss on third down. The following play the Bandits missed a field goal to keep the score at 35 to 20 to end the third quarter.
To start the fourth quarter the Haymakers looked to close the gap. When the Bandits botched a field goals snap on fourth down the Haymakers took over on downs. The Haymakers were driving and relied on a fourth down conversion from Toscano to Rhodes. Toscano was sacked during the drive which knocked him out of the game.
Backup quarterback Blake Bolles came into the game and continued the drive. The Haymakers entered the red zone late in the fourth and looked to bring the game to a one score deficit. The Haymakers though failed to convert on fourth down attempt on the five yard line.
The Bandits followed the failed fourth down conversion with a touchdown pass to extend their lead 42 to 20. Bolles looked to bring his team back. He threw a touchdown pass to Shane Scott but the play was negated by a penalty flag. A final pass intercepted with a minute left in the ball game sealed the game.
The atmosphere was exciting for a crowd of over 1,600 inside the Pershing Center for the Haymakers home opener. Despite the loss, the Haymakers hung tough with the Bandits who extended their 31 game winning streak. Turnovers turned out to be a deciding factor in the game, as the Bandits scored on two drives following turnovers.
The Haymakers will be in action again against the Bloomington Edge, Friday April 5th. The team will look to continue their season as they stand 1-1 in the CPIFL.
Champions Professional Indoor Football League Stories from March 30, 2013
- Haymakers Fall Short To Bandits In First Home Game - Lincoln Haymakers
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
